Newbie

[Snore_nomore]

I've read some on this board, but am overwhelmed with information.

Here are my details:

After having a sleep study three years ago, and being told I had disturbances, but not necessarily apnea, but a cpap would help me and my snoring that can wake the dead. I've finally gotten enough courage to request a machine.

MVP Insurance won't pay for another titration sleep study with cpap fitting so Dr said and autopap would work. Insurance assigned me to Sleep Management Solutions, and they will fill my prescription and mail me a Respironics System One. I would need to pay $442.28 first month then $85 a month for 12 months. This includes all supplies, humidifier and a respiratory therapist to come to my home and fit me for a mask. They said it was a wireless system, but I wouldn't be able to obtain the info myself, I'd have to call to have them do it.

I don't have a copy of my sleep study, but based on my readings here I should get a copy of that.

Should I go with this? Any assistance/advice is appreciated.

[Snore_nomore]

Just faxed a form to Dr office, they will be mailing me my test results.

[Wulfman...]

I've read some on this board, but am overwhelmed with information.

Here are my details:

After having a sleep study three years ago, and being told I had disturbances, but not necessarily apnea, but a cpap would help me and my snoring that can wake the dead. I've finally gotten enough courage to request a machine.

MVP Insurance won't pay for another titration sleep study with cpap fitting so Dr said and autopap would work. Insurance assigned me to Sleep Management Solutions, and they will fill my prescription and mail me a Respironics System One. I would need to pay $442.28 first month then $85 a month for 12 months. This includes all supplies, humidifier and a respiratory therapist to come to my home and fit me for a mask. They said it was a wireless system, but I wouldn't be able to obtain the info myself, I'd have to call to have them do it.

I don't have a copy of my sleep study, but based on my readings here I should get a copy of that.

Should I go with this? Any assistance/advice is appreciated.

That's ridiculously outrageous! You can buy one out-of-pocket from an online seller like CPAP(dot)COM for much less.
You need to do some more research before giving those people any money. Keep reading here and asking questions.


Den

.

[kaiasgram]

Hi Snore, I was about to run out the door but I saw your post and wanted to just suggest that you go to our forum sponsor's website https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machines/apap-machine.php to look at prices of APAP machines. I think you'll see the difference in cost to you with buying your own machine outright than going with the plan set up by your insurance and SMS. More help will be along soon, just wanted to give you a heads-up.

Edit: I see Den beat me to it.

[Snore_nomore]

I was thinking it was outrageously priced, as it looked like a full setup should be $1,000, including software to view the results myself.

How would go about getting fitted for the mask and finding support for using the machine? Should I contact the Dr who ordered and evaluated the sleep study?

I look forward to your additional comments.

[Wulfman...]

I was thinking it was outrageously priced, as it looked like a full setup should be $1,000, including software to view the results myself.

How would go about getting fitted for the mask and finding support for using the machine? Should I contact the Dr who ordered and evaluated the sleep study?

I look forward to your additional comments.

For all intents and purposes, if you can read, you can set up these machines. The online sellers include the documentation for setting up the machines.
For masks, stay in the link that "kaiasgram" gave you and find the mask section and look at the variety, options and sizes......do some research and see if you see something that might appeal to you. I think they still have a mask sizing guide in there somewhere.
I did all this myself 8 1/2 years ago and selected the mask I'm still using today (ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face). Through the years I tried a few others but my first one was the best one. I've never used a brick & mortar DME.
You can do it.


Den

.

[nanwilson]

I was thinking it was outrageously priced, as it looked like a full setup should be $1,000, including software to view the results myself.

How would go about getting fitted for the mask and finding support for using the machine? Should I contact the Dr who ordered and evaluated the sleep study?

I look forward to your additional comments.

Just ask for the software and you shall receive... its free right here on the forum . If you post your test results when you get them one of the members will tell you what and how to set your machine for the right pressure. I would take a look at cpap.coms website and review all the masks that available to you, see what interests you then ask questions here . Are you a mouth breather, if so you will probably need a full face mask, if not them any nasal or pillow mask that strikes your fancy.
Welcome to the best darn forum on the web.
Nan

[Pugsy]

SleepyHead software is free and will work just fine with the PR System One 60 series Auto CPAP..model 560. You can get this machine, with the humidifier and the heated hose and accessories for $740. It's a great machine.

I can help you find the Encore software and it won't cost you a thing.
It is NOT difficult to set these machines up and figure out optimal settings.

Can you normally breathe through your nose just fine? If so ..look at the nasal pillow or nasal cushion masks...they are so much easier to fit, get to seal, and get used to.
If you have chronic nasal congestion and simply can't get your nose to clear up enough to breathe without opening your mouth then you will need a full face mask of some sort.
I might have one you can just have to start with...free...very gently used but not bad enough to hurt it and it's surely in good enough shape for you to get an idea if you even like it and it would maybe work.

[Snore_nomore]

Wow, thanks Pugsy, that's exactly what I need to know.

Unfortunately, I do think I breath through my mouth as my nose is frequently stuffy or hard to breath through.

[Pugsy]

Some people find that the humidified air actually helps open up the nasal passages but for now I will proceed with checking out which FFM I might have.
I think I have a Quattro FX in Small and Medium..
This mask
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html


Though to be honest if you can utilize the DMEs for masks...it would be to your advantage if they happen to have a mask swapping trial period...normally 30 days. Some DMEs will and some won't. If you have multiple choices of DMEs who work with your insurance you could call around and find out what their policy might be.

There is no rule/law that says that you can't buy/find/obtain your machine on your own and use the DME for just the masks.
Especially here at the end of the year when your deductible likely will kick in after Jan 1 and you might be out even more for the machine. Do the math and find out exactly what your insurance is expected to do and don't rely on what the DME tells you that your insurance will do. You need to contact your insurance yourself.

[Snore_nomore]

Price would be $740 plus a mask which could be $100 to 175 for a total of $915. I see the cpap.com allows you to buy return insurance on the mask, within 30 days.

If I go with the insurance referred Sleep Management - I'd be paying $537 more if I stick with it the full year.

My random thoughts:
I'm hoping a cpap will be manageable, but wonder if I'm committed enough to look like Darth Vader for the rest of my life. Should I rent to see if I sleep better or feel any difference during the day, should I have surgery to remove my flapping palette, uvula and enormous tonsils, ............

[Pugsy]

wonder if I'm committed enough to look like Darth Vader for the rest of my life.

We don't see so great when asleep with our eyes closed. But I know what you mean.

should I have surgery to remove my flapping palette, uvula and enormous tonsils, ............

Maybe the tonsils but the other stuff...I wouldn't do it. UPPP...not well known for being highly effective and almost always after a few years (even if initially effective) the need for cpap comes back. By then you will have other issues that the UPPP surgery might bring up and it ain't pretty. Food and liquids shooting out your nose at the most inappropriate times...I hear the post op pain is HUGE...can't talk normally because the uvula needed to produce certain sounds is gone....etc.
We have quite a few forum members here who have had it done and they are now on the machine and not once have I ever heard said it was worth it. All I have heard is "don't do it".

Yes, you can utilize cpap.com return insurance. For some masks it's free and a no brainer. For others there is a fee but still a lot cheaper than spending nearly $200 on a mask you can't use. The return insurance includes a postage/shipping paid label for returning the mask.

If buying a gently used machine doesn't bug you too much...there are ways to find them at a substantial savings just in case you come to the conclusion you simply can't/won't use the machine...of course everyone here will do everything they can to get you to where you can use it. Myself included. But if that should happen with a gently used low hour machine bought at a discount then you probably could sell it and get most of your money back. Pros and cons to everything. Buy new from cpap.com and get the full warranty but if you bailed out on therapy the machine is worth roughly 50% or so of what you paid for it. If you bought gently used the hit isn't so bad. If you want to go the "gently used" road...send me a private message and I will explain my ideas.

[Snore_nomore]

Thanks for the help and encouragement Pugsy

Sorry, but I can't seem to find the definitions to tell me what DME stands for?

There is a Medical store near me that has sleep apnea devices, so I'll see if they can fit me for a mask, instead of trying the internet way or should I call my physician and get a fitting from him.

[Pugsy]

Sorry...I forget it took me 3 days to figure out what DME stood for.
Generic term for the brick and mortar medical supply store because what they sell is called Durable Medical Equipment and cpap equipment is also called durable medical equipment.

Your doctor won't have a clue about sizing any mask unless he has someone in his office that does it and actually dispenses masks.
And unfortunately DMEs often don't have a clue either...they look at your face and hold the mask up to your face and say ...yep, medium and send you on your way.
Ideally you need to be able to test it out laying down with a machine and pressure blowing.
There are templates available for a lot of masks that can be printed off to help with sizing.
http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/html/ma ... lates.html
The Quattro with the forehead support has a template...the Quattro FX doesn't but they are similar in size and will get you close.

The Liberty...FFM but I will be honest. I don't know that I would want a newbie trying to fit that type of mask all by themselves.
I tried the similar mask in the Innomed brand and I was in tears after an hour thinking I never would get the damn thing to fit and I had prior experience with several masks. Finally got it done by myself but they are a bitch to get just right the first time.

I have a DME for masks and supplies...I have never bought a machine from them. I just marched myself in there and told them I had my machine already (it's really none of their business where you got it) and would they sell me masks? The guy said "sure, we would be glad to help in anyway we can...even with the machine if you can't figure something out"...wish you lived near me...he's a nice guy. They got the necessary information from the doctor and that was that. Insurance buys me a mask every 6 months. Sometimes I buy the new stuff from cpap.com just because I like to try new stuff for fun and I don't want to wait till my insurance would buy it. My co pay is roughly $30...

[Snore_nomore]

Ok, here's where I'm at for the moment -

1. I'm waiting for my sleep study report to be mailed to me. Once I receive it I will then proceed with

2. Purchasing equipment on my own from cpap.com, I might stop in at a local DME - The Medical Store to see if they have masks to test fit

machine - PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine or should I go with a S9 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine? The remstar is on sale and a few hundred cheaper

mask - Quattro™ FX for Her Full Face Mask with Headgear - need to figure out how to size, think I can use the template for the Quattro? Should I order a second type of mask now in case this one doesn't work? cpap.com has insurance return, but I'm thinking it is only 30 days and I should try this one for at least 15 days, then I could order another at that time if needed.

humidity - PR System One 60 Series Heated Tube Humidifier with Heated Tube

Possibly a hose lit tube holder system?, Do I need to order mask pads?

3. Since I've never had a study with a cpap on, I'm assuming these auto machines will calibrate an appropriate pressure setting or the included manual will tell me how to set? I will be doing this on my own, I'm quite computer savvy and a big do it yourselfer for home and auto repairs, but this is my health. I do have a Dr appointment in January for him to check the whole setup, as he's thinking I've gone with the MVP recommend DME choice.

4. Someone on here will show me how to get the software to read my machine results

That's all for now